By AbdulRahman Bello, the main individual suspected in the gruesome murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has stood in court alongside four other individuals and denied any involvement in the crime. All five suspects entered “not guilty” pleas to the five serious charges brought against them in a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Bello, along with Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and AbdulRahman Jamiu, appeared before the court to answer to allegations surrounding the tragic death of Hafsoh Lawal, which reportedly occurred on February 10, 2025. The prosecution contends that Bello and the other four conspired to cause Hafsoh’s death and were involved in the disturbing act of dismembering her body.
The charges read out in court further accused the five individuals of jointly conspiring to remove parts of Hafsoh’s body, draining her blood, and being in possession of human remains and blood. These allegations paint a horrifying picture of the crime that has deeply shocked the Kwara community and beyond.
In addition to the collective charges, the prime suspect, AbdulRahman Bello, faces a separate, particularly heinous accusation of raping the deceased student. This individual charge carries a significant penalty under the laws of Kwara State.
As the charges were formally presented in court, all five suspects maintained their innocence by pleading not guilty. While the other four suspects had legal representation, AbdulRahman Bello was represented by a lawyer provided on a pro bono basis, highlighting the gravity and complexity of the case.
The prosecution team was led by the Kwara State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Sulaiman, signaling the state’s commitment to pursuing justice for the slain student. Following the pleas, Justice Hannah Ajayi issued an order for the suspects to be held in the Oke-Kura correctional facility in Ilorin until May 7, 2025, when the substantive hearing of the case is scheduled to commence. The community now awaits the unfolding of the legal proceedings, hoping for clarity and justice for Hafsoh Lawal.
